Global Address List

The global address list (GAL) is a read-only MAPI Address book for Outlook users
to view, search, and extract address information of the users, user groups, and calendar
resources stored in the corporate directory. The corporate directory here refers to
an LDAP server storing user account information including user name, passwords, contact
information, and so on. This enables other authorized users on the same network to
access the information. The Sun Java System Connector for Microsoft Outlook GAL enables
Outlook to display the corporate directory as “Global Address List” in
conjunction with Contacts, personal address book, and any other address book providers.
The GAL provides access to details of individual users, static groups, and calendar
resources stored in the corporate directory.

The backend server or the server that is referred to as the corporate directory
can be any LDAP address book server adhering to the predefined schema. Here the term
user means the individual whose data or information is stored as an entry in the server.

In order to allow browsing of the directory, Connector for Microsoft Outlook
utilizes the Virtual List View (VLV) and server-side sort extension of the directory
server. The directory server must be configured for the VLV index. The VLV index is
precisely defined by a basedn, search filter, sort attribute, and scope. Any mismatch
amongst the settings described below and the VLV index settings on the server results
in poor performance.

Search base (root of LDAP directory): The
LDAP distinguished name of the root DN from where searches are performed.

VLV Search filter: The filter that is used
for the VLV to display entries within the directory.

Advanced search filter: Determines what fields
are used when searching for users within the GAL. You can change this field if you
wish to customize the GAL's Find dialog.

Name resolution filter: Determines which
fields to search when entering a name while composing a new message. Outlook tries
to resolve the name after pressing Ctrl-K or selecting Tools->Check Names from
the menu.

Search times out after: ___ minutes: Limits
directory search times to the designated number of minutes.

Maximum number of search results returned: Limits
the number of entries returned by a search to the number specified here.

Require authentication: Tells the user program
to configure the LDAP Directory Service so as to require user authentication in the
form of a user Distinguished Name (DN) for each directory query.

User DN pattern: The elements of
the user’s Distinguished Name that, when assembled, will form the complete DN
to authenticate the user’s identity to the LDAP Directory Service (if authentication
is required). For example, to define a DN consisting of a user ID (uid), an organization
unit (ou) and an organization (o): uid=%s,ou=people,o=florizel.com.
The user's ID replaces “%s” after configuration of the user's profile.

Similarly, to define a DN consisting of a common name, an organization
and a country: cn=Fred Smith,o=florizel.com,c=US.